Tottenham Hotspur FC
Sheffield United FC
Sheffield United FC
Managerless Spurs continue post-Mourinho journey against relegated Sheffield United
Tottenham to win 3-0
Tottenham were beaten in the Carabao Cup final last weekend against Manchester City, with their 1-0 result perhaps closer than many would have predicted going into the game.
It was only the second game since Mourinho’s sacking as manager, with Ryan Mason taking over until the end of the season. In truth, they were a whole world away from the quality of City, and there is plenty for Spurs to put right over the summer.
Can they rescue their league position and their pride over the remainder of this campaign? With an eight point gap to Chelsea in 4th, the Champions League now seems off the cards.
As for Sheffield United, they were put out of their misery a couple of weeks ago when they were officially relegated, and they responded by bouncing back with victory against Brighton.
The shackles were finally off in that game, and could we see more of the same here?
Form Guide (all comps): DLDWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Won the reverse fixture against Sheffield United
Have only lost once this season to teams in the bottom half
Reasons to be fearful:
Could lose their sixth home game of the season (their joint-highest)
They are surely too far behind a top four place
Despite the change in management at Spurs, the players will know that they have the potential to play at a very high level, as they have done at times this season.
The thrashing of Manchester United earlier in the campaign showed that, as did beating City on their way to the top of the league. Things have since coming crashing down around them, but their players are still capable of quality.
They have had a week to reflect on their Cup final defeat, and will be raring to go in order to get back to winning ways, albeit against a side rooted to the bottom of the table.
A win here could take them above both Liverpool and West Ham into 5th, should those clubs drop points in their respective matches.
Fortunately, there are no new injury concerns here.
Star Man – Harry Kane
There is plenty of questions to be answered about his future in the summer, but for now he remains a fantastic Spurs player, and will fancy his chances against the Blades’ defence here.
Form Guide (all comps): LLLLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Earned a morale boosting win last weekend
As we saw last week, no pressure could lead to a strong performance
Reasons to be fearful:
Haven’t won away at Spurs since 1991
They’ve lost 14 of their 16 games of their travels this season
Sheffield United showed the value of having the pressure removed from their shoulders last weekend, as they shrugged off their relegation confirmation to earn a solid win over Brighton.
They will be aiming for more of the same this weekend as they face a side desperately searching for form under their temporary manager.
Despite this, however, their away record this season has been awful, losing all but two of their 16 games on their travels away from Bramall Lane. Should they win here, it would be their first away to Spurs since 1991, and you’d have to feel that the likes of Kane and Son will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing them.
Star Man – David McGoldrick
The striker has scored 39% of Sheffield United’s goals this season – he’s pulled his weight, but unfortunately no one else has up front.
Spurs are massive favourites
They’ll fancy themselves to create plenty of chances
Can Sheffield United spring a surprise?
On paper, this looks like a straightforward game for Spurs, and one in which they should take all three points reasonably comfortably.
It rarely works out like that, of course, particularly with both teams’ situations right now.
But, Kane and his fellow teammates with have a point to prove, and you could see themselves scoring a few here.
Tottenham to win 3-0
